THE mayor of the controversial Nala local municipality, Theko Mokgoje, has appeared in court in connection with the violent stand-off between ANC and EFF members in Bothaville, Free State.
About 37 people have been arrested in connection with the violence that erupted in the township when ANC and EFF members set alight eachother's houses.
Mokgoje was accompanied by six municipal employees and six more ANC members appearing at the Bothaville Magistrate's Court.
Outside the courtroom a large police contingent kept a close watch on both ANC and EFF members.
Mokgoje and the 12 suspects face charges of public violence, arson and malicious damage to property after allegedly burning and stoning houses belonging to EFF members William Mafojane and Moses Malebatso two weeks ago in retaliation after four houses belonging to ANC councillors were attacked and torched at Khotsong township in Bothaville.
Mokgoje was dressed in a blue suit while the other accused were clad in yellow ANC T-shirts.
On Monday, ANC provincial spokesman Thabo Meeko denied that its members were arrested after Sowetan saw Mokgoje at Bothaville police station. Meeko said Mokgoje was taken in for questioning over the violence.
Mokgoje was released on a warning on Monday evening while Thabiso Nteso, Teboho Tlhole, John Kokoma, Samuel Mokhoane, Abel and David Dassie, Papi Moreki, Samuel Marometse, Isaac Louw, Joshua Motaung and Thabo Mohlabisi were released on R1000 bail each.
Nteso is a security manager, Kokoma is employed as a youth development officer, Mokhoane is a facility manager, David is a secretary while Mohlabisi and Tlhole are general workers at the municipality.
Eleven EFF members appeared in court on Monday. Both rival groups are expected back in court on November 10.
ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Nala mayor in the dock - he's accussed of attack on EFF rivals
THE mayor of the controversial Nala local municipality, Theko Mokgoje, has appeared in court in connection with the violent stand-off between ANC and EFF members in Bothaville, Free State.
About 37 people have been arrested in connection with the violence that erupted in the township when ANC and EFF members set alight eachother's houses.
Mokgoje was accompanied by six municipal employees and six more ANC members appearing at the Bothaville Magistrate's Court.
Outside the courtroom a large police contingent kept a close watch on both ANC and EFF members.
Mokgoje and the 12 suspects face charges of public violence, arson and malicious damage to property after allegedly burning and stoning houses belonging to EFF members William Mafojane and Moses Malebatso two weeks ago in retaliation after four houses belonging to ANC councillors were attacked and torched at Khotsong township in Bothaville.
Mokgoje was dressed in a blue suit while the other accused were clad in yellow ANC T-shirts.
On Monday, ANC provincial spokesman Thabo Meeko denied that its members were arrested after Sowetan saw Mokgoje at Bothaville police station. Meeko said Mokgoje was taken in for questioning over the violence.
Mokgoje was released on a warning on Monday evening while Thabiso Nteso, Teboho Tlhole, John Kokoma, Samuel Mokhoane, Abel and David Dassie, Papi Moreki, Samuel Marometse, Isaac Louw, Joshua Motaung and Thabo Mohlabisi were released on R1000 bail each.
Nteso is a security manager, Kokoma is employed as a youth development officer, Mokhoane is a facility manager, David is a secretary while Mohlabisi and Tlhole are general workers at the municipality.
Eleven EFF members appeared in court on Monday. Both rival groups are expected back in court on November 10.
ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays